US Senator JD Vance has indicated that former President Donald Trump is weighing Ukraine’s plea for long-range Tomahawk missiles. Vance stated that any final decision on this matter would rest with President Trump himself.
Ukraine has been advocating for Western partners to supply weapons capable of striking deep into Russian territory, believing such a capability could cripple Russia’s military industry and hasten the end of the conflict. Deputy Defense Minister Ivan Havryliuk commented to the BBC, “If the cost of continuing the war for Moscow is too high, it will be forced to start peace talks.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov downplayed the significance of Vance’s statement, asserting that no weapon system could fundamentally change the situation on the ground for Ukraine. He suggested that Tomahawk missiles, or any other missiles, would not alter the war’s trajectory.
Tomahawk missiles boast a range of approximately 2,500 kilometers (1,500 miles), a capability that would place Moscow within Ukraine’s striking distance.
While Vance expressed ambivalence regarding the missile request, US special envoy Keith Kellogg implied that the US had already authorized strikes deep within Russian territory in certain instances. Kellogg stated, “The answer is yes, use the ability to hit deep, there are no such things as sanctuaries.”
These remarks align with a recent shift in the US administration’s stance on the conflict. Following earlier skepticism about Ukraine’s ability to withstand Russia, Trump recently stated that Kyiv could “win all of Ukraine back in its original form” – a declaration that reportedly surprised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Trump has reportedly expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s apparent willingness to discuss peace talks while simultaneously continuing relentless attacks on Ukrainian cities.
The recent escalation of attacks was highlighted by a significant 12-hour bombardment on Kyiv, which involved hundreds of drones and nearly 50 missiles, resulting in four fatalities and over 70 injuries across Ukraine.
Havryliuk noted that Russia is expected to intensify its aerial assaults. He also explained that Ukraine is requesting at least 10 Patriot surface-to-air defense systems to counter ballistic missiles, as the current defensive capabilities are strained by the increasing frequency and scale of Russian attacks.
Ukraine’s defense industry has made strides in producing drones and other weaponry, but the country remains reliant on allies for critical air defense systems. Havryliuk emphasized that strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses would bolster the security of all of Europe, particularly in light of recent Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace.
Ultimately, Ukraine hopes that enhanced air defense and long-range strike capabilities will compel Moscow to engage in meaningful peace negotiations.